Finance Director: Academic Budget & Strategy

University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA); Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture seeks a Director of Finance to lead its financial administration and Business Office operations. You will translate the COO/CFO's strategy into budgets, forecasts, controls, reporting, systems, and service delivery across multiple departments and units.

The role requires advanced accounting and forecasting skills, strong leadership, and a track record of managing complex higher-education finances with donor and grant constraints.

Qualifications

• Experience leading budget planning, forecasting, financial analysis and controls for a multi-fund org.
• Advanced knowledge of fund accounting, internal controls, reporting and restricted funds.
• Ability to lead a Business Office and budget/purchasing teams with clear priorities.
• Supervisory experience with staff development, workload management and performance evaluation.
• Skill in analyzing complex information and presenting actionable recommendations to senior leaders.
• Forecasting skills for current-year costs, multi-year commitments and revenue trends.
• Proficiency with spreadsheets, databases, reporting, and financial-management systems.
• Ability to interpret university policies and external requirements for compliant service delivery.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with administrators, faculty, staff, vendors, and partners.
• Ability to exercise discretion and manage competing priorities with confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Lead budget planning, forecasting, and financial performance across the School.
• Oversee permanent-budget, staffing controls, fund management, and fiscal close.
• Provide analyses to support leadership decisions and strategy.
• Manage Business Office and supervise budget and purchasing teams.
• Establish service standards, procedures, and internal controls.
• Coordinate financial practices across the School with policy compliance.

Skills

Budget planning

Forecasting

Financial analysis

Internal controls

Staff development

Lead teams

Financial modeling

Spreadsheet/database skills

Policy interpretation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in related area

Master's Degree in finance/accounting/MB A/public admin or related field

Tools

ASCEND

UCPath

Financial systems

Job description

UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture seeks a Director of Finance to lead its financial administration and Business Office operations. You will translate the COO/CFO's strategy into budgets, forecasts, controls, reporting, systems, and service delivery across multiple departments and units.

The role requires advanced accounting and forecasting skills, strong leadership, and a track record of managing complex higher-education finances with donor and grant constraints.